AMA Journal of Ethics®

Illuminating the art of medicine

AMA Journal of Ethics®

Illuminating the art of medicine

AMA Journal of Ethics. August 2017, Volume 19, Number 8: 737-842.

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Iatrogenesis in Pediatrics

Ethics Poll

Poll Question

A 12-year-old girl identifies as a boy, has been diagnosed with gender dysphoria (GD), and wants to begin gender transitioning with prepuberty hormone therapy. Her physician worries about the long-term iatrogenic risks of therapy. How should the physician respond?

Explain iatrogenic consequences of prepuberty hormone therapy, noting that GD does not always persist into adolescence.

Require this patient to undergo mental health evaluation.

Begin only reversible treatment to suppress puberty.

Find a discussion of responses to this question in the August 2017 issue of the AMA Journal of Ethics.